President Kiir’s Speech at the Governors’ Forum and the Agricultural Trade Fair

1. Opening ceremony of the Agricultural Trade Fair and Conference held at Nyakuron Cultural Centre, Juba on 27 November 2012.
2. Governors’ Forum held at the Freedom Hall in Juba.

SPEECH

H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit

President of the Republic of South Sudan

“Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security and Economic Growth”

SECOND GOVERNORS’ FORUM

Freedom Hall, Juba

26^th November 2012 

Your Excellences’,

Members of the National Legislature,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps’

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good Morning and welcome to the Second Governor’s Forum. This forum comes at a time that we are under Austerity Measures due to a situation, which was forced on us as a Country.  This situation has taught us some lessons. Lessons of how to manage our economy and not be totally dependent on oil, which is a non-renewable resource. It has taught us to be dependent on ourselves.  It taught us that even though we were independent politically as a State, Economically we were dependent on the sale of the oil. For that reason the theme of our Forum this year is about Agriculture. Improving our production and depending on ourselves, taking control of our destiny and liberating ourselves economically.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the last Governors’ Forum I stressed that we focus on priority areas for the implementation of our Development plan 2011 to 2013.

This Plan is anchored on pillars of Good Governance, Economic Development, Social and Human Development and Conflict Prevention and Security.  I have noticed in the progress report that despite the Austerity Measure situation in which we had to implement the recommendations of the last Forum, we have made tremendous achievements.  As an enhancement of the decentralized system many county headquarters have been built since then, civil servants trained, States have Radio FMs for airing Government programs locally, and Police stations have been established in most of the Counties. Social services were also provided despite the Austerity Measures situation.  These are all indicators of progress or development.  Of course this progress would have been more rapid if our situation was different. Nevertheless, we have managed to achieve some progress of development.  This progress has been possible because of the partnership we have with Development partners.  I want to take this opportunity to thank our Development partners, the UN Integrated System and our own Community Based Development Organizations who have participated in this process.  I want to thank UNDP for the partnership that we have in organizing these Forums.

I know that development is not something that depends entirely on us even if we were on the driver’s seat and had home grown ideas.  The world we live in is a global place where our intentions and actions for Development are influenced by the current status of Politics and Economy around us and even far away. Therefore outcomes of development process are often a result of partnership. As we enter this new period, I call upon our development partners to honestly and sincerely engage with us in a manner that enables them to listen to our analysis of the situation and allow us to lead the process.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are still challenged by an enemy who looks mighty, complicated but manageable.  This enemy to the people of South Sudan is not our neighbor to the north, nor is it the militias that they send to us to try to destabilize us.  It is “POVERTY”.  Statistics show that out of our 8.3 Million people 51% live below poverty line, about 48% are food insecure, life expectancy is about 42 years and still our Primary schools enrolment is about 46%.

Today I want to declare war on this enemy called “POVERTY”.  I declared to you in my address to the nation during the 2^nd anniversary of our Independence that by 2014, I want to see that we do not import tomatoes, or vegetables or any food from our neighboring countries.  We must aim to produce more food through household production and ensure that the vulnerable have access to food.  Ensuring that the 48% who are food insecure would have access to food by 2014. We aim to be a regional food basket by 2020 mid of our Vision 2040.  We must export organic food to Europe and the United States of America; export meat and fish to Europe and United States benefiting from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).  In the engagement conference in Washington D.C. last year 2011, we were welcomed into AGOA by the United States.  It will remain in paper if we do not aim to develop our Agricultural sector.  In this Forum I expect that we will agree on strategies, tactics and plans of how to achieve this goal of hunger free by 2014. Poverty can only be fought if people have full stomachs.  It is then that they will think about sending their children to schools.  Once we satisfy our food needs, our health will improve and thereafter the wellbeing of all our people.

All these cannot be achieved without resources.  In September we signed the Cooperation Agreement in Addis Ababa that contained nine sets of Agreements including the Security Arrangements at the borders and resumption of the oil production.  While as we were ready for the resumption of oil production, Khartoum demanded that the Security Arrangements be done first.  The interpretation of the Security Arrangements seems to be different.  We think it is the implementation of the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone, the implementation of the Joint Border Verification Monitoring Mechanism, Khartoum thinks it is about disarming the SPLM-N.  It has been recognized by the AUHIP that the SPLM-N has a political case that needs solution.  The SPLM-N is negotiating with Sudan directly.  Despite this Khartoum expects that we should disarm the SPLM-N, something that is impossible.  Because of this Khartoum has refused to accept passage of South Sudan oil to flow through the territory of Sudan.  We are negotiating and last week we sent a letter to Khartoum communicating our readiness to discuss at the Joint Political Security Mechanism (JPSM) in Khartoum.

When we resume the oil production, the resources will be devoted to specific priorities of service delivery to the people.  I have given those priorities to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning to form the basis of the Budgeting plan of 2013/2014.  Our physical and food security are top on this priority list.  It should be noted that unless we deliberately devote resources to improve Agriculture by providing farmers with seeds, tools, and improve access to markets our intentions would remain on paper.  We must be different this coming year.  Farmers must be provided with what they require in time to start farming at the right time.  Improve the extension services and provide the needed resources in time.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you deliberate here in the next four days my hope is that you will develop strategies, tactics and plans that will boost production, entice farmers and create employment for our youth. It is our collective responsibility to provide a secure and stable environment in which our people can engage in production, harvesting and marketing.

Most of our country is secured, even the challenges in Jonglei are being managed and I believe that soon Jonglei will be safe and secure for production too, particularly Pibor county.

There still remain post independence issues, the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement and the final status of Abyei. When we signed the Cooperation Agreement we thought it was going to be implemented unconditionally.  Now it appears that we have to negotiate its implementation too. We will do all that it takes to maintain peace and avoid the return to war.  On Abyei, I made my point clear in Addis that; President El Bashir and I had failed to reach an agreement on the final status of Abyei. If we the leaders of the two countries cannot agree on the proposal by the AUHIP, who else can AUHIP take it to? For this reason, I suggested that AUHIP should present its proposed position to the AU Peace and Security Council to adopt it as the final status of Abyei. The AUHIP proposed a position in which there would be a referendum for the people of Abyei in October 2013 and they defined who the voter would be.

This position has been presented to the AU Peace and Security Council and they have also adopted at its 339^th meeting on October 24, 2012 on the final status of Abyei Area.  On the 9^th December the six weeks that was given for us to consult as requested by the Sudanese Government will pass.  My expectation is that the AUHIP will then present the position for adoption to the AU Peace and Security Council.  If the AU Peace and Security Council adopt it, they will send the same position to the UNSC and ask them to adopt it as the final status of Abyei.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Before I conclude, I want to inform you that last week Khartoum bombed Northern Bahr el Ghazal state at Kiir Adem killing six people.  We have condemned this action of aggression from Khartoum that does not represent the spirit of peace and cooperation between our two states. This bombardment they claim is because they were pursuing rebels.  This is the usual excuse, when they are defeated by the rebels they resort to bombing us. While all these take place I want you all to be calm and watch what Khartoum wants to do.

We have complained to the UNSC, AU, AUPSC and AUHIP.  We will wait for their reaction to our complains.

Remember that the expectation of our people remains high and for that matter we do not have the luxury of politicking but must get to work immediately.   I am mindful of the fact that we face challenges in terms of resources and capacity; I remain confident that together we can develop viable strategies to deliver on those expectations.  Let us remind our citizens of why they voted for independence by ensuring that they have access to all the ingredients to a happy, healthy, and productive life for not only themselves but for many generations to come.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

I declare this forum open.  Thank you.

SPEECH

H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit

President of the Republic of South Sudan

“ON THE OCASSION OF “OPENING OF THE AGRICULTURAL TRADE FAIR AND CONFERENCE”

Nyakuron Cultural Centre, Juba

27^th November 2012 

Your Excellences,

Honoroble Members of the Legislature,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my pleasure and a privilege to address you at this important event, the second Agricultural Trade Fair and Conference. I want to thank the Minister of agriculture, Forestry, Cooperative and Rural Development and the Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, who together have made this great event possible.  As I said when I marked our first year of independence, standing on our own as a nation means feeding ourselves. We must support our farmers and our families to grow food. And for those unable, we must offer help so they can be a healthy and valued part of our communities. Statistics show that 48% of our population are food insecure and therefore we must work hard to alleviate this issue of food insecurity.

This agriculture trade fair creates awareness, attracts investors and partners together to ensure that everything is being done so that South Sudan quickly realises its potential to develop our rural communities.  You know very well that about 83% of our population are rural, it is therefore important to enable them to produce and trade crops, forestry, fish and livestock.

The importance of this event cannot be overstated. Overcoming food insecurity, developing agricultural businesses and then increasing trade with our neighbours is of vital importance to the future of South Sudan, and remains one of my top priorities. Remember in the celebration of our first anniversary of independence I promised to the people of South Sudan that by 2014 we shall be food secure.  The work of this trade fair and its participants is the work of building a food secure nation. I urge you to be bold and creative in your discussions.

Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen,

South Sudan has enormous agricultural potential with a vast endowment of natural resources. We are people who are farmers and cattle herders. We are blessed with fertile lands and plenty of rain which enables production of a wide range of crops.  As we encourage farming, we should also encourage a policy of specialized crop farming. Raising cattle is in our blood; there are over eleven million heads of cattle in South Sudan. There is no reason for our children to be malnourished when we should have enough milk. There is no reason for us not to export meat and milk products to the region and the international market. I encourage investiment in this sector. Prospects for fisheries and aquaculture are also great given the fact that Africa’s longest river (the River Nile) passes from the south to the north of our lands.

A third of our lands are forests. If managed sustainably, South Sudan could become a major exporter of high-grade and high-value timber such as teak and mahogany. I therefore also want to encourage investors to invest in the forest,

but this must be done in a sustainable manner that preserves our ecosystem to avoid desertification. It is self-evident why South Sudan holds so much investment promise.

Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our economy risks becoming dependent on oil. Diversification of the economy is essential by looking at opportunities for processing; packaging and moving up the value-chain in other sectors of the economy. Our resources should not leave the country as low-value raw materials but value added. Agriculture is one way to achieve this. Over time this sector has the capacity to contribute greatly to our national income, and widen our tax base. With growth come jobs for our youth,  (men and women).  While today, and this week in the Governors’ Forum, we are focused on Agriculture, I want to be clear that my Government understands the wider challenges of ensuring food security and developing Agricultural businesses. We cannot reach our Agricultural potential with poor roads, sick farmers and lack of power. All our policies and plans must work together to develop rural communities holistically.

We cannot reach our potential by taking more from the ground than we put back. I welcome sustainable investment for the long-term. Our forefathers understood this and we must not let them down. The forests control the rain; the planting of different crops controls the soil. Our Agricultural resources—unlike oil—can last forever. We must do all that is necessary to protect the future of the generations to follow.

I strongly support this trade fair and conference. It is only through efforts like these that we will ensure our potential is reached. I want to take this opportunity to reiterate that South Sudan is open for business. I said that at the International Engagement Conference held in Washington last December, and I want to repeat it here today in South Sudan. I want this message to be heard widely and heard clearly—I encourage entrepreneurs to invest sustainably in South Sudan’s natural resources. This event brings together farmers, investors and customers; as well as national and international experts. I want you to make the connections necessary to ensure your investment reap the greatest benefits.

These benefits must reach everyone—from return on investment, through closer trade linkages, to more secure employment, food and incomes for the very poorest in South Sudan. We must never forget our ultimate aim: to reduce poverty by developing our communities and bringing opportunity to our most vulnerable people. Farming and agribusiness present a means to this end. Your efforts, be they money to buy tools and seeds; training for our farmers and fisherman or expert advice are all part of our national development.

Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen,

All of us need to work together to achieve food security, I have said before, my ambition for self-sufficiency in food is to end hunger in South Sudan by 2014, and to ensure our continued food security. My Government has an important role to play to deliver this, but by no means can we do it on our own. National and state governments need to work hand in hand with investors, communities and development partners.

This work needs to be coordinated and it is vital we unite around one strategy. I hope there is time at today’s event to discuss these issues. We need the National government to provide the leadership and strategic direction for the Agriculture sector in collaboration with the State governments. It is up to us to provide the best environment to attract and retain investors, facilitate cross-border trade and promote our great country across the world.  We need the private sector to invest in the physical capital to more productively farm our lands, and invest in our human capital to ensure people have the chance to learn new skills and so better feed their families and sell surplus crops.  We need the support of our donors and international experts.

Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I want to thank all of you, who have travelled from all the states of South Sudan and those who have come from abroad for this event to be here in Juba. Your recognition of the potential in South Sudan is important and valued. You are most welcome.

I want also to recognise the support of our donors, particularly the European Union, USAID and all the other sponsors, big and small that have helped make this event possible.

Your work is just beginning. We must ensure we increase, scale-up and modernise the way we use our lands. In doing so, we must ensure sustainability for future generations and put in place all the necessary support to attract investment and facilitate trade. And finally we must move forward together.

With these few words I officially declare the second Agricultural Trade Fair and Conference open.

Thank you and God bless you all.